US20140331377A1

US20140331377A1 - Protective finger device

Info

Publication number: US20140331377A1
Application number: US13/890,769
Authority: US
Inventors: Louise Taylor-Lopez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-09
Filing date: 2013-05-09
Publication date: 2014-11-13

Abstract

A protective finger device for use with electronic devices comprising a sleeve to cover a distal portion of a wearer's finger; an opening at an end of the sleeve, where the opening receives the wearer's finger; a tip at an opposing end of the sleeve from the opening, where the tip envelops the wearer's fingertip; and a plurality of holes along the sleeve, where the plurality of holes allow air to pass through the sleeve. The protective finger device is made from a breathable, antimicrobial material to provide a barrier between the wearer's finger and the electronic device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/644,433 filed on May 9, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a finger covering to shield a user from germs and bacteria when using their electronic devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Many people use cellular phones, touch-screen tablets, and other mobile devices as part of their daily activities. During use, the person is continuously touching and rubbing the screen of the device in order to operate the different functions. Because of the repeated touching the screens often become dirty requiring gentle wiping to remove the fingerprints and scuffs. Often, after extended use, the screens, buttons and overall device become a breeding ground for bacteria and microorganisms. These organisms may become harmful to the mobile device users, spreading colds, viruses and germs.
Some people who wish to protect themselves from the surface germs may choose to wear gloves to cover their skin, thus avoiding direct contact with the screen. A problem commonly associated with the gloves is that the gloves often do not allow the touchscreens to register user's touch, and they are forced to remove the glove to properly operate the device. Further, if the gloves do allow screen manipulation, they often become uncomfortable after an extended period of time. The hands may start sweating and the fingers may feel less dexterous with the excess material.
Therefore it would be beneficial in the art to provide a hand adorned device that protects a user from contaminants resting on the surface of many mobile devices. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a protective finger covering that is comfortable to wear for an extended period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a protective finger device for use with electronic devices, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a protective finger device to provide a barrier between a user's finger and the contaminated surface of an electronic device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective finger device that is made from a breathable, antimicrobial material.
To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a protective finger device is described comprising a sleeve to cover a distal portion of a wearer's finger; an opening at an end of the sleeve, where the opening receives the wearer's finger; a tip at an opposing end of the sleeve from the opening, where the tip envelops the wearer's fingertip; and a plurality of holes along the sleeve, where the plurality of holes allow air to pass through the sleeve. The protective finger device is made from a breathable, antimicrobial material to provide a barrier between the wearer's finger and the electronic device.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of a protective finger device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B depicts a side view of a protective finger device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A depicts a top view of a protective finger device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B depicts a bottom view of a protective finger device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2C depicts a side view of a protective finger device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a finger covering to shield a user from germs and bacteria when using their electronic devices. The present invention provides a protective finger device which comprises a sleeve that covers the distal end of a user's finger. The sleeve is made from a breathable material to allow fresh air to pass onto the user's skin, thus preventing sweating and discomfort while wearing. Also, the sleeve includes a leather tip to ensure durability and dexterity when using the electronic device.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1A, a perspective view of a protective finger device 100 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The protective finger device 100 is embodied as a sleeve 102 which covers the distal portion of a wearer's finger 150. The sleeve 102 extends between a tip 104 and an opening 106. The opening 106 receives the wearer's finger 150 and the sleeve 102 slides along the finger 150 until their fingertip reaches the tip 104. The sleeve 102 may measure 2.5 inches in length to cover up to the knuckle of the wearer. The sleeve 102 and tip 104 are made from a thin, breathable, antimicrobial material to enable sufficient tactile sensation and dexterity when using an electronic device. The material may preferably be leather treated with an antimicrobial substance, but other thin breathable materials may be used.
The tip 104 may be a solid material that completely envelops the fingertip. The tip 104 is solid to ensure that a touchscreen of an electronic device senses the touch of the protective finger device 100. The remainder of the sleeve 102 may be covered with a plurality of breathing holes 108 to enable fresh air to passes through the sleeve 102 to the user's skin. The holes 108 also allow for better flexibility for the sleeve 102.
Referring now to FIG. 1B, a side view of the protective finger device 100 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B illustrates how the sleeve 102 of the protective finger device 100 completely envelops the wearer's finger with the breathable, antimicrobial material.
Referring now to FIG. 2A, a top view of a protective finger device 200 is shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The protective finger device 200 includes a sleeve 202 that covers the wearer's finger 250. The sleeve 202 includes a tip 204 to envelop the wearer's fingertip 252. Along the sleeve 202 are a plurality of paired flanges 206. The paired flanges 206 wrap around the finger 250 so that the sleeve 202 does not completely surround the finger 250, but rather simply covers the bottom of the finger (see FIG. 2B). The paired flanges 206 may meet (as shown) or connect like bands around the finger 250. FIG. 2B shows how the sleeve 202 covers the bottom portion of the wearer's finger 250 to provide a shield between the finger 250 and the electronic device.
Referring to FIG. 2C, a side view of the alternative embodiment of the protective finger device 200 is shown. The paired flanges 206 extend from the bottom portion of the sleeve 202 to meet at the top portion of the user's finger. The tip 204 is a solid material, while the sleeve 202 is covered with a plurality of holes 208. The material comprising the sleeve 202 may be the same breathable, antimicrobial material covered with a plurality of holes 208 as described in reference to the first embodiment. Further, the material may be rigid or molded to support the pair flanges 206 around the finger 250.
The protective finger device is a sanitary finger cover to provide a barrier between the user's finger and the bacteria and germs found on the surface of common electronic devices. A carrying case may be provided with the protective finger device to keep the device readily available when using electronics. The carrying case may be attached to the cellular phone, smartphone or tablet to ensure that the protective finger cover is ready for use whenever needed.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A protective finger device for use with electronic devices comprising:

a. a sleeve to cover a distal portion of a wearer's finger;

b. an opening at an end of the sleeve, where the opening receives the wearer's finger;

c. a tip at an opposing end of the sleeve from the opening, where the tip envelops the wearer's fingertip; and

d. a plurality of holes along the sleeve, where the plurality of holes allow air to pass through the sleeve.

2. The protective finger device according to claim 1, where the sleeve is made from a breathable, antimicrobial material.

3. The protective finger device according to claim 2, where the material is a treated leather.

4. The protective finger device according to claim 1, where the sleeve includes a plurality of paired flanges that extend from a bottom portion of the sleeve to meet at a top portion of the wearer's finger.

5. The protective finger device according to claim 4, where the plurality of paired flanges are bands that wrap around the wearer's finger.

6. The protective finger device according to claim 4, where the sleeve with the paired flanges is made from a rigid, breathable, antimicrobial material.

7. The protective finger device according to claim 1, where the protective finger device is housed within a carrying case.